CIBUS: The Passion of a Chef, The Heart of a Community

Tucked into a quiet pocket of Canotek Park, CIBUS is one of Ottawa’s best-kept culinary secrets—a place where tradition, creativity, and care come together in every dish. At its heart is Chef Cristian, a classically trained Roman chef whose journey from Italy to Ottawa is rooted in passion, persistence, and a lifelong love of food.

Cristian’s earliest memories are of being in the kitchen, cooking with his Mamma and Nonna, learning the rhythms of Italian home cooking. Sundays weren’t just for rest—they were for gathering, for eating, and for honouring the ritual of preparing something with love. That spirit lives in every dish he makes.

After graduating from the prestigious Istituto Alberghiero Marco Gavio Apicio in Anzio, Cristian went on to work in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury resorts throughout Italy. In 2010, a connection in the restaurant business brought him to Ottawa, where he quickly made a name for himself in the city’s culinary scene.

He brought modern Italian cuisine to life as owner and executive chef at DiVino Modern Italian Restaurant in Little Italy and later as chef at Orto Trattoria in the Glebe. His cooking struck a balance—deeply rooted in Italian tradition, but reinvented for today’s health-conscious diner, without ever sacrificing flavour or soul.

In 2021, Cristian opened CIBUS—a name that means “food” in Latin, but here stands for something far more personal. What began as a modest meal prep venture has grown into a thriving culinary space. Today, CIBUS offers Roman-style pizza days, curated weekly meals for busy families, custom private catering, and cooking classes that bring people together to experience the joy of food—fresh, simple, and made by hand.

Cristian also serves as the official chef for the Italian Embassy in Ottawa, preparing elegant meals for ambassadors, guests, and diplomatic events. But no matter the audience, his approach stays the same—thoughtful, welcoming, and full of heart.

The cooking classes at CIBUS have become a cornerstone of what makes it so special. Cristian teaches the basics—how to knead pasta dough, shape gnocchi, balance sauces—with kindness and clarity, meeting people where they’re at and making the experience fun and accessible. His goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection. To help people feel more confident in the kitchen, one meal at a time.

CIBUS may still be one of Ottawa’s hidden gems—but it deserves to be discovered. With heart, history, and extraordinary flavour in every offering, it’s a place that brings people together through the simple joy of good food.

Whether you’re looking for fresh meal prep, private catering, Roman-style pizza days, or cooking classes that make you feel right at home, there’s something special waiting here.

Come see what it’s all about.

For hours, catering info, and upcoming classes, visit https://www.cibus.ca

For more, check out their Facebook and follow them on Instagram

Cristian is always happy to share his kitchen—and his passion—with anyone who walks through the door.